What’s the Difference Between Translation and Transcreation?

The difference between translation and transcreation lies in how much freedom the translator is given to be creative.

If you’re wondering about difference between translation and transcreation then you’re not alone. Knowing what your translator means when they use these terms will help you make sure you order the right service to get the results you need. This article will explain the difference between translation and transcreation.

The basic difference between translation and transcreation

Transcreation refers to creatively translating marketing materials, whereas translation has a much broader meaning. Translation is about producing an accurate and idiomatic rendering of the original text. Transcreation, on the other hand, involves translating with more artistic licence.

The translator has to stay true to the original. The transcreator stays true to the original where this will work, but can also incorporate copywriting, as they see fit.

You might say that the translator is constrained by the limits of the original text. The transcreator, on the other hand, can break away from those constraints. They may even break out of the text, to look at the localization of images. Read What Is Transcreation? for more information.

The literal translation myth

Professional translators don’t do word-for-word translations. That is, unless you ask us to. Some texts need very high accuracy, such as contracts. But, even then, a professional translator changes the sentence structure and punctuation. We have to, so the text reads naturally in the new language.

Some people wrongly think translation is literal, while transcreation is non-literal translation. This is a misconception. If you want your translator to adapt your text to the new culture and create copy for you, that’s when you should consider transcreation. If you want a natural translation, then a professional translation service is what you need.

When IS there a difference between translation and transcreation?

Translation is always a creative process. To a greater or lesser extent. Professional translation aims to produce a text that expresses everything in the original. Including meaning, style, tone and register. But it isn’t the translator’s job to introduce meaning that wasn’t there before, or take meaning out. This is a line that marks the difference between translation and transcreation.

Another line is that transcreation is used specifically for the creative translation of advertising and branding materials, whereas translation is a general term. To better understand what a transcreator does, Transcreation Examples: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Lucy will make you laugh.

The transcreator’s brief may encompass looking at visual elements as part of the job. While a translator may decide to comment on visuals, it isn’t normally part of their commission. If you need to brief a transcreator, get help here: 23 Questions to Help You Make a Good Transcreator Brief.

When is there NO difference between translation and transcreation?

If you ask me to translate a blog article for you, and give no further instructions, I’ll convey your words in English. But, if necessary, I’ll make a few changes, to help your article achieve its purpose. This could mean making SEO adaptations. Changing sentence length. Finding equivalent idiomatic expressions. Looking behind your words to interpret your ideas, to express your meaning as fully as possible. All professional translators do this.

If I see something in your article that I know won’t work for the new reader, I’ll tell you. I’ll ask your permission to change it. This is because, when I’m wearing my translator’s hat, it isn’t in my gift to make significant changes to your text.

Despite that one limitation, much of what I’ve just described could also be called transcreation. I’m recreating the text in English. And I’m doing things to it to make sure it sells in the new culture. This is far from producing a mindless, literal translation.

“Transcreation is used specifically for the creative translation of advertising and branding materials, whereas translation is a general term.”

Three differences between translation and transcreation

1. Brief. Because a transcreator behaves like a copywriter, they’ll need a brief. A translator doesn’t normally get a brief, even though they’d probably like one. They tend to be just presented with the text and told to work their magic. It’s left up to them to figure out what this magic involves.

3. Cost. Besides being a qualified, professional translator, a transcreator is a trained copywriter. This means their rate will be similar to that of a specialist translator. But transcreation takes longer than translation. So a transcreation project will cost more. The cost is justified. A good transcreator who is mindful of things like SEO will do more than pay for themselves.

Three similarities between translation and transcreation

1. Professional translation skills. Absolutely essential for both.

2. Professional writing skills in the native language. Absolutely essential for both.

3. Inability to be put in a box. Neither the translator nor the transcreator does the same job every time. The same professional can have the skills to do both jobs. They then adapt to what the customer needs and draw from both skill sets as necessary.

Should you mention the difference between translation and transcreation when you get a quote?

Yes, talk it through at the start. Give the translator/transcreator ample information about your objectives for the text. Ask them what they recommend to help you to achieve your goals. Let them know how much of a free hand you’re prepared to give them. And, see how they respond. That way you can judge whether they’re the right person for the job.

Transcreation is an investment that can grow your profits. But, to be successful, good communication is essential. With transcreation, it’s best to work directly with the freelancer. Having non-specialist translation agencies in the middle makes misunderstandings far more likely. My article How to Give Translation Instructions that Get Valuable Results will help you with this.

Lucy and I are trained copywriters and qualified translators. Talk to us about what you need and we will guide you as best we can.